Zoe brown nail salon lead

Salon in the Spotlight: Zoe Brown Nail Salon, Edinburgh

By Kat Hill | 3 February 2021

Opening its doors in summer of 2019, Zoe Brown Nail Salon can be found in the historic city of Edinburgh. With its chic décor and welcoming team, the salon has captured the attention of locals with its nail and beauty offering. “We are a salon of seven independent successful technicians,…

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Is your work/life balance too affected by social media?

By Katie Barnes | 2 February 2021

We are able to create relationships with customers before, during and after they have booked a visit to our nail business with the power of social media. This allows customers to trust us and become instantly loyal, even before they may have visited. But, there is a downside to social…

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Sash pro web feature

Behind The Brand: Meet the founder of Sash Pro Tools

By Chloe Randall | 2 February 2021

Scratch chats to Founder of Sash Pro Tools, Sashanie Gray who shared why she started the brand and the plans for the future. Founded in 2017, Sashanie Gray created her own product range after being a self-employed manicurist and having delved into many channels in the beauty industry such as…

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Nana sharp texas

Candy crush: Japan’s kawaii-styling on nails

By Alex Fox | 1 February 2021

A passion for Japanese fashion since childhood led Nana Sharp from Texas, USA, to explore the idea of taking this fashion onto fingertips. When no obvious outlet for obtaining a stylised individual set of gyaru-style nails became apparent, Nana posted a request on Facebook. Unsurprisingly, this led to a flurry…

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Winners of the Malaysian Momo Make-Up Comp

By Alex Fox | 31 January 2021

Scratch editor-in-chief, Alex Fox, was invited to join the judging panel for the Momo Make-Up Competition, hosted by Stephy Pang of the Momo Make-Up Academy in Malaysia. A make-up academy with a wide portfolio of courses for nails and make-up, Momo embraces and inspires creativity, innovative international techniques and professionalism…

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TECH TALK: Laura Ann Francis of Pretty Miss Nails & Beauty

By Callie Iley | 30 January 2021

Scratch chats to South Wales based Magpie educator, Laura Ann Francis, of Pretty Miss Nails & Beauty.   I’m Laura Ann Francis, and I’m the South Wales educator for Magpie Beauty. I work & teach from my home salon, Pretty Miss Nails & Beauty. I’ve been in the industry since…

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Cuticle oil

How does cuticle oil work?

By Guest Writer | 28 January 2021

How does cuticle oil work? Three nail experts explain why oils are a must-have for aftercare & nail maintenance… To examine how this nail care product works, first you must look at its target: the nail plate and surrounding skin. “Oil and moisture can travel through the nail plate in…

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Jacquiosullivan web feature

Online Education: Jacqui O’Sullivan on the pros and cons

By Chloe Randall | 28 January 2021

Award-winning nail specialist and educator, Jacqui O’Sullivan shares her thoughts on online education in the nail industry and where the future is taking us in terms of learning. What are the pros and cons of online education vs face to face? To both the educator and the learner?  At the…

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Nova nails lead

Salon in the Spotlight: Nova Nails, Glasgow, Scotland

By Kat Hill | 27 January 2021

After working in call centres for years, Jackie Logan wanted a change of career. “After three years of practise and training, I work up the courage to quit my job and start Nova Nails,” Jackie remembers. “I worked in a few places renting a table, but during the first lockdown…

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Ways to help prevent & monitor beauty product allergies | The Beauty Bloggers

By Guest Writer | 27 January 2021

The Beauty Bloggers, aka Natalie Thompson & Rachel Jenkinson, share their patch testing tips & advice on preventing allergies in the salon.. Nat and Rach are ‘The Beauty Bloggers‘ and have over 21 years experience in the beauty sector between them. Their aim is to discuss real issues that beauty…

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My papillon beauty web feature

Behind The Brand: Meet the duo behind My Papillon Beauty

By Chloe Randall | 26 January 2021

Scratch chats to Founders of My Papillon Beauty, Kelly Mcguinness and Claire Whittle who share how they came to start the brand and what goes on behind the scenes. After working together in a salon in 2019, Kelly Mcguinness and Claire Whittle had the idea of creating a range of…

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#NowTrending: Monochrome diamond nails by Laura Katy Chester

By Callie Iley | 26 January 2021

Scratch chats to Laura Katy Chester of LK Beauty about how she created this striking monochrome nail design. She also shares the small moments that make her proud of her career…. I qualified as a nail technician back in 2016 with Young Nails. After a couple of years in a…

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Dream nails grants

Covid-19 SALON TALK: How I have embraced govt business grants

By Guest Writer | 25 January 2021

Thanh Vu, managing director of four Dream Nails salons, shares how she has made the most of financial support from government – and navigated obstacles – during the coronavirus pandemic… Coronavirus brought unprecedented challenges to businesses and while it has presented numerous opportunities, financial prudence, financial planning and financial support has…

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Julia armstrong scratch snap

WINNER ANNOUNCED: Scratch Snap January

By Kat Hill | 25 January 2021

The winner of Scratch’s monthly nail art challenge has been announced as Julia Armstrong. In a showcase of talent, techs stepped up to the Scratch Snap challenge for January & created nail designs inspired by ‘Purple Positivity’ in the bid to win a prize from Purple Professional. Judged by Scratch‘s…

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Sam marshall

How to reassure clients about salon safety post-Covid-19

By Chloe Randall | 25 January 2021

When salons in the UK re-open, many clients may be quick to book nail and beauty appointments. However, there will be some that are still cautious about returning to the salon for their regular services. Sam Marshall, of The Beauty Guru in Media City, Salford, has shared her thoughts on…

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